Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) – Day 32: The Most Holy Trinity
Podcast Information
- Title: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
- Host/Author: Ascension
- Episode: Day 32: The Most Holy Trinity
- Release Date: February 1, 2025
- Duration: Approximately 20 minutes
- Description: In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the foundational Christian belief in the Holy Trinity, exploring paragraphs 232 to 237 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He elucidates the concepts of theology and economy, emphasizing the centrality of the Trinity in Christian faith and practice.
Introduction
Fr. Mike Schmitz opens the episode by welcoming listeners to Day 32 of "The Catechism in a Year" podcast. He introduces the reading material for the day—paragraphs 232 to 237 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church—and highlights the use of Ascension’s Foundations of Faith approach, a color-coded system that aids in understanding the Catechism's structure. Fr. Mike encourages listeners to subscribe for daily notifications and to engage with the reading plan available at Ascension Press.
Overview of Day 32: The Most Holy Trinity
Reading Material: Paragraphs 232-237
Topic: The Most Holy Trinity
Focus: Understanding the core Christian belief in the Trinity and its implications for faith and practice.
Fr. Mike emphasizes that the core of Christian belief revolves around the Holy Trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He introduces the concepts of "theology" and "economy," explaining their roles in revealing God's nature and actions.
Key Themes Discussed
1. The Mystery of the Trinity
Fr. Mike underscores that the Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith. He explains that God's deepest identity is as a communion of persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—in an eternal exchange of love. This mystery is foundational, serving as the bedrock upon which all other Christian beliefs are built.
- Quote:
"The core of Christian beliefs is the Trinity, God's deepest identity."
(00:50)
2. Theology and Economy
Fr. Mike introduces and defines two critical theological terms: theology and economy.
-
Theology (Theologia):
"The study of God," focusing on the mystery of God's inmost life within the Blessed Trinity. -
Economy (Oikonomia):
Contrary to the common misconception related to "money," economy in this context refers to "the management of the house." It denotes the way God has acted in the world, revealing Himself through His actions.
Fr. Mike explains that theology and economy are interconnected—theology illuminates economy, and economy reveals theology.
- Quote:
"Theologia refers to the mystery of God's inmost life, and oikonomia refers to all the works by which God reveals Himself and communicates His life."
(04:15)
3. Baptism in the Name of the Trinity
Baptism is highlighted as a sacrament performed "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," not in their individual names, underscoring the unity and singularity of the Trinity.
Fr. Mike reflects on the Sign of the Cross made during prayer, emphasizing that it simultaneously honors the Trinity and affirms the oneness of God.
- Quote:
"Every time we make the sign of the cross, we are highlighting the Trinity and the unity of God."
(10:30)
4. Revelation of God's Trinitarian Nature
The Catechism explains that while traces of the Trinity appear in creation and the Old Testament, the full revelation of God's Trinitarian nature comes through the incarnation of Jesus Christ and the sending of the Holy Spirit.
Fr. Mike draws an analogy to human relationships, explaining that just as understanding a person’s actions helps us know them better, God's actions reveal His divine nature to us.
- Quote:
"Analogously among human persons, a person discloses himself in his actions. The better we know a person, the better we understand his actions."
(15:45)
Insights and Analogies
Fr. Mike employs relatable analogies to elucidate complex theological concepts:
-
Person and Actions Analogy:
He compares the revelation of God's nature through His actions to how understanding a person's actions helps us know them better. This analogy aids listeners in grasping how God's economy (His works) and theology (His nature) are interdependent. -
Virtuous Cycle of Intimacy with God:
Fr. Mike describes the relationship between understanding God's identity and His actions as a virtuous cycle. "The more we know God, the more we understand His actions, and the more we understand His actions, the better we know Him." This cycle fosters deeper intimacy and reliance on God.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Introduction to the Catechism in a Year:
- "The Catechism in a Year is where we encounter God's plan of sheer goodness for us revealed in Scripture and passed down through the tradition of the Catholic faith."
(00:05)
- "The Catechism in a Year is where we encounter God's plan of sheer goodness for us revealed in Scripture and passed down through the tradition of the Catholic faith."
-
Defining Theology and Economy:
- "Theologia refers to the mystery of God's inmost life, and oikonomia refers to all the works by which God reveals Himself and communicates His life."
(04:15)
- "Theologia refers to the mystery of God's inmost life, and oikonomia refers to all the works by which God reveals Himself and communicates His life."
-
On the Mystery of the Trinity:
- "The core of Christian beliefs is the Trinity, God's deepest identity."
(00:50)
- "The core of Christian beliefs is the Trinity, God's deepest identity."
-
Understanding Baptism in the Trinity's Name:
- "Every time we make the sign of the cross, we are highlighting the Trinity and the unity of God."
(10:30)
- "Every time we make the sign of the cross, we are highlighting the Trinity and the unity of God."
-
Analogy of Revelation:
- "Analogously among human persons, a person discloses himself in his actions. The better we know a person, the better we understand his actions."
(15:45)
- "Analogously among human persons, a person discloses himself in his actions. The better we know a person, the better we understand his actions."
-
Virtuous Cycle of Knowing God:
- "This is a cycle of intimacy. The more we know God, the more we understand His actions, and the more we understand His actions, the better we are able to know Him."
(19:30)
- "This is a cycle of intimacy. The more we know God, the more we understand His actions, and the more we understand His actions, the better we are able to know Him."
Conclusion
Fr. Mike Schmitz wraps up the episode by reflecting on the profound nature of the Trinity and its pivotal role in Christian faith. He encourages listeners to deepen their understanding through prayer, study, and engagement with the sacraments. Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating God's self-revelation, urging believers to foster a closer relationship with Him.
- Final Reflections:
"The more we know God, the more we understand His actions. The more we understand His actions, the better we know Him. This is a virtuous cycle."
Fr. Mike concludes with a heartfelt prayer for the listeners, expressing his own prayers for their spiritual growth and inviting reciprocal prayers.
Final Thoughts
Day 32 of "The Catechism in a Year" provides a deep and insightful exploration of the Holy Trinity, emphasizing its foundational role in Christian belief. Fr. Mike Schmitz effectively breaks down complex theological concepts, making them accessible and relatable. Through analogies and thoughtful explanations, he guides listeners to a richer understanding of God's nature and His work in the world, fostering a deeper intimacy and appreciation for the mysteries of faith.